Mag-Probe is Intrinsically Safe to Use In Explosive Environments

Sealed explosion proof, intrinsically safe solenoid valves, relays and contactors are totally encapsulated. Troubleshooting these valves, relays and contactors using a non-contact Bartol Mag-Probe virtually eliminates any chance of electrical arc. We accomplish this by using low voltage and low current and the contacts, that make the tester operate are encapsulated in a vacuum and then completely sealed in silicone rubber.

In Oil and Gas Exploration and Processing Plants the Bartol Mag-Probe is currently used on Offshore Drilling Platforms, Refineries with Explosive Gas Environments. The Mag-Probe is Intrinsically Safe to conduct tests on electrically operated solenoid valves and contactors through their protective shield or shells. Most of these tests can be done without purging the area and can be tested without having to take the protective cases off the solenoids, relays or contactors. Because it is completely self contained it eliminates the possibility of creating a contact spark and is safe to use in volatile areas.

About the Author

Bob Bartol has spent his whole life working with electronics in almost every capacity and spent many hours in Physics classes.

He currently holds 4 U.S. patents and has been making a living off one of the patents “The Bartol Mag-Probe” for over twenty years. Bartol Research’s Mag-Probe now has a global reach and is dramatically reducing trouble shooting downtime anywhere a solenoid valve. relay, or contactor is used.

F111 Air Force Projects – European Flight Competition
January 1968

Bob attended electronics school in the Air Force. Upon graduation he was assigned to a fighter wing in Germany. During his assignment he prepared seven aircraft for European competition. The fighter wings aircraft won the competition.

Bob then returned to the United States and taught advanced radar for two years.

Two years later, he returned to Europe. During this assignment, Air Force headquarters Europe selected Bob to open a Precision Measuring Equipment Laboratory (P.M.E.L) in England. It was the first of its kind in the Air Force.

Upon his return to the United States, Air Force headquarters assigned Bob to Air Force research command in Florida. This was strictly a scientific assignment for research and development.

After three years he moved from Eglin AFB in Florida to Edwards Air Force Base in California where he had direct contact with the National Bureau of Standards and supported research and development aircraft.

During this assignment, he designed a modification for the TF X fighter (F-111). This modification made possible an additional 9800 flying hours per year. The F111 was the first swing wing aircraft in history. General Dynamics completed the modification prior to acceptance by the U.S. Air Force.

Modification of F111 Aircraft
General Dynamics
March 1963

As a result of increasing this flying time Bob Received an award from Edwards Air Force Base for Increasing flying time of the F111 by 9,800 hours per year. The Award was Presented by Colonel Grumbles to TSGT Bob Bartol on June 17, 1963